Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX USA) Practice

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the COMLEX-USA with quizzes featuring flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Gear up for your osteopathic medicine exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for PVD claudication?

  1. Smoking

  2. Older age

  3. Hyperlipidemia

  4. Frequent exercise

The correct answer is: Frequent exercise

Frequent exercise is often associated with a lower risk of developing peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and claudication. Regular physical activity can improve cardiovascular health, enhance blood circulation, and promote the development of collateral circulation, which can mitigate the effects of existing vascular disease. In fact, exercise is frequently recommended as part of the management for claudication, as it can help increase walking distance and improve overall vascular health. In contrast, the other options listed are known risk factors for claudication. Smoking adversely affects vascular health by promoting atherosclerosis, while older age and hyperlipidemia are also significant contributors to the risk for PVD due to their roles in promoting plaque buildup in arteries. Thus, frequent exercise stands out as a protective factor rather than a risk factor for PVD claudication.